PDF/A is an ISO standard specifically designed for long-term storage of electronic documents. Its goal is to ensure the immutability of the visual and logical content of files for decades to come, regardless of the environment and software. For an enterprise's electronic archive, the transition to PDF/A becomes a matter of legal significance and managed data preservation.
Difference between PDF and PDF/A
PDF and PDF/A are two file formats, each with its own purposes and characteristics. Understanding the differences between them is important to choose the right format for your purposes and needs.
Purpose:
- PDF is a universal format for document exchange. It ensures that the format and appearance of the document is preserved regardless of the software or platform used.
- PDF/A is a specialized version of PDF designed for long-term archiving. It ensures that the document will not be changed in the future, making it ideal for use in libraries, archives, and legal platforms.
Structure and contents:
- PDF – supports active elements such as video, audio, and JavaScript. May include fonts that are not embedded in the file.
- PDF/A – all fonts must be embedded in the file to avoid display problems. Active elements and links to external resources are prohibited.
Playback stability:
- PDF - may have playback issues on different devices and software environments due to dependency on missing fonts or other elements.
- PDF/A – ensures that your document will look the same on all PDF/A-supported devices, even after many years, thanks to embedded fonts and no dependencies.
Legal significance and archival storage:
- PDF - does not provide guarantees for long-term storage, as its contents may become inaccessible due to changes in the software.
- PDF/A - an international standard (ISO 19005) for archival storage, ensuring compliance with legal requirements for documents.
Conversion and compatibility:
- PDF - converting to PDF/A can be challenging, especially if the document contains active elements or external links.
- PDF/A - to create PDF/A, you must use specialized software that meets the strict requirements of the format.
The choice between PDF and PDF/A depends on the purpose: if you need to create a document for everyday use, PDF is suitable; if you need to archive the document for a long time, PDF/A should be used.
Features of VintaSoft PDF .NET Plug-in
VintaSoft PDF .NET Plug-in is a .NET SDK for working with PDF and PDF/A documents on Windows, Linux and macOS. Key benefits of the solution:
- Full support for PDF/A standards: ability to work with PDF/A-1a, PDF/A-2a, PDF/A-3a, PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, PDF/A-3b, PDF/A-2u, PDF/A-3u, PDF/A-4, PDF/A-4e, PDF/A-4f.
- Flexible conversion: Convert regular PDF files to PDF/A with automatic resource handling (e.g. font embedding, image optimization, and metadata structuring).
- Conformance verification: Instantly check whether your document meets all the requirements of the selected PDF/A profile (useful for both archiving and transferring to third-party systems).
- No external dependencies: a completely native implementation of the PDF engine in C#, ensuring stability and independence from third-party libraries.
- Automation interface: The SDK provides batch processing capabilities and built-in integration into enterprise ECM systems, which is critical for mass archiving.
Steps in the PDF to PDF/A conversion process
- Loading a source PDF document. Using API or visual components, the user selects or automatically retrieves the document.
- Select a PDF/A profile. Specify the required level (for example, for maximum compatibility - PDF/A-1b, and for support of attachments or color profiles - PDF/A-3u).
- Transformation and verification. The SDK automatically corrects the document - embeds fonts, adds metadata, removes elements that are incompatible with the standard, and optimizes the object structure.
- Compliance report. After the conversion, a detailed report is available - whether the result was successful, what changes were made, possible reasons for non-compliance.
- Saving and integration. The PDF/A file is saved in the required storage, signed with an electronic signature if necessary, or integrated into the enterprise archive.
How VintaSoft makes the work of developers and IT departments easier
VintaSoft offers powerful tools and solutions that significantly simplify the process of development and integration into corporate systems. The software products are created taking into account the needs of developers, allowing for effective task management and increased productivity:
- Cross-platform: single API for all supported platforms.
- Batch processing: the possibility of mass conversion - relevant for digitalization of archives and data migration.
- Visualization and verification: tools are provided for viewing, searching and assessing the compliance of documents without leaving the corporate system.
- Protection and security: you can immediately set up file protection, electronic signature and encryption during the conversion process.
VintaSoft PDF .NET Plug-in - the optimal solution for companies that need to automate the transition to PDF/A for compliance purposes (e.g. when submitting documents to state archives, long-term storage of contracts, accounting, medical and engineering files). Transparent integration, performance and reliability are advantages that are relevant for both large enterprises and software developers.
Conclusion
VintaSoft PDF .NET Plug-in provides a full cycle for PDF/A conversion and verification - from loading the source file to automated implementation in long-term storage, taking into account all international standards and business process requirements.
Here is C# code that demonstrates how to convert a PDF document to a PDF/A-1b document:
/// <summary>
/// Converts a PDF document to conformance with PDF/A-1b specification.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="pdfFilename">The filename of source PDF document.</param>
/// <param name="outputPdfFilename">The filename of output PDF document.</param>
public static void ConvertDocumentToPdfA1b(string pdfFilename, string outputPdfFilename)
{
// determine that file must converted to the PDF/A-1b and saved back to the source file
bool sameFile = pdfFilename.ToUpperInvariant() == outputPdfFilename.ToUpperInvariant();
// create the PDF/A-1b converter
Vintasoft.Imaging.Pdf.Processing.PdfA.PdfA1bConverter converter =
new Vintasoft.Imaging.Pdf.Processing.PdfA.PdfA1bConverter();
converter.LzwFixupCompression = Vintasoft.Imaging.Pdf.PdfCompression.Zip;
// converter.OutputIntentDestIccProfile = ...
// execute the conversion
System.Console.WriteLine("Conversion...");
Vintasoft.Imaging.Processing.ConversionProfileResult result =
converter.Convert(pdfFilename, outputPdfFilename, new Vintasoft.Imaging.Processing.ProcessingState());
// if PDF document is converted successfully
if (result.IsSuccessful)
{
System.Console.WriteLine("Document converted to PDF/A-1b.");
}
// if PDF document is NOT converted
else
{
if (!sameFile)
System.IO.File.Delete(outputPdfFilename);
throw result.CreateConversionException();
}
}
